reader

+1 (you beat me to this but then again I knew you would 🫠)

Have used both in past. Also had good experience at St. Louis Hospital on south Sathorn rd. One of the advantages of Bangkok: affordable medical care is readily available.

From BBC Passengers were evacuated from an American Airlines flight after the plane caught fire at Denver International Airport on Thursday. Footage shows smoke billowing from the aircraft and passengers standing on the plane's wing. There were no reports of serious injuries, although the airport later confirmed 12 people were taken to hospital for minor injuries. The flight took off from nearby Colorado Springs and was on the way to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, the FAA said in a statement to the BBC. The plane diverted to Denver around 17:15 local time (23:15 GMT) after the crew reported "engine vibrations", the FAA said. https://www.bbc.com/news/videos/c99nkdgj58lo

Bangkok Christian Hospital is preparing to open a new Emergency Room on Silom road. As part of major expansion.

From The Nation Fierce competition and lack of confidence in the country’s safety will likely prevent Thailand achieving its target of 39 million foreign arrivals this year, according to the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA). Foreign visitors in 2025 are likely to top 37 million at most, which is still higher than last year's number of 35.54 million, ATTA president Sisdivachr Cheewarattanaporn said on Thursday. He said “several negative factors” are hindering Thailand’s tourism goal, including competition with countries like Japan, China and Vietnam, which are aggressively promoting their tourism to attract foreign visitors. “Japan overtook Thailand in terms of Chinese arrivals last year, at 6.98 million people vs 6.7 million visiting the kingdom,” he said. ATTA estimates that Chinese visitors to Thailand this year will reach 7 million, still over 4 million short of the record 11.13 million in 2019, before the pandemic. “We may never be able to secure 10-plus million Chinese visitors per year again,” Sisdivachr said, citing safety worries over reports of Chinese and other nationals being abducted from Thailand to scam towns in neighbouring countries. They are also concerned about China’s economic slowdown and the possibility of a fresh trade war, while the Chinese government is encouraging its citizens to travel domestically, he added. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/news/tourism/40047405

From Bangkok Post UK retirees endure legal ‘nightmare’ Two British retirees who were badly beaten by neighbours after a property dispute in Hua Hin have been fined after being charged with assault for defending themselves. Desmond and Mary Byrne, of Middlesborough, pleaded guilty in a local court on Wednesday to assault and causing damage. They were given a suspended 20-day sentence and fined 17,500 baht. They were expected to be given their passports on Thursday so that they could return to the UK. “Thailand is known as the Land of Smiles because the people are known for their hospitality and friendliness,” the British newspaper The Sun quoted Mary as saying. “But our idyllic retirement in paradise has landed us in a living hell.” Desmond, 77, and Mary, 69, moved to Thailand in 2021, using £200,000 of their savings to buy a villa in Hua Hin. A short while later, they returned from a trip to find builders working on their home, and local residents saying that they owned the access road. The couple halted development temporarily after hiring a local lawyer, but tensions rose until December 2023 when events came to a brutal climax. According to UK media reports, a younger couple in their 40s came into the Byrnes’ garden and started pulling up plants and screaming abuse at them in Thai. As they approached them, the pensioners were viciously attacked by the pair, who had Muay Thai training, according to Mary. The male attacker, reportedly from the UK, knocked out Desmond after delivering 22 blows while he was defenceless on the ground. His Thai partner, a woman, punched and kicked Mary until she fell into a flower bed. Mary said her husband, a retired chemical engineer, kicked his leg up at one stage but did not strike anyone. “I strongly believe, 100%, it was in self-defence,” she said. The attack left Desmond with severe facial injuries that required extensive hospital treatment. Mary suffered a broken nose and a brain bleed, and has since been experiencing reduced heart function. The incident was captured on CCTV, but the Byrnes said police seemed to show little interest in pursuing their complaint at first. Eventually they managed to press charges and the other couple were found guilty of assault and told to pay compensation. To the Byrnes’ shock, their attackers subsequently filed a police complaint against them, and they were charged in June last year with causing their neighbours “superficial injuries and mental anguish”. The couple claim that their failure to pay a bribe left them facing a court date and the possibility of jail time. Continues at https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2979123/uk-retirees-endure-legal-nightmare-in-thailand

NOTE — I would not be surprised if embassies of US, Euro zone and Canada did not experience similar demand for services. Tourists from these countries were among the first to “discover” Thailand and some went on to become expats. They’re now all part and parcel of Thailand’s aging population. From Pattaya Mail By Barry Kenyon Obviously the most publicized cases are the most vulnerable: pensioners such as Des and Mary Byrne, who have dominated the news in the last few days, and dozens of accident victims on Thai roads who run out of money and are unable to pay medical bills. Most of these cases result in complaints, usually from relatives in the UK, that the Bangkok embassy and its bosses in London are not doing enough to help their distressed citizens. It’s worth noting that all embassies in Bangkok play a remarkably similar tune. They say they can contact third parties such as relatives, visit hospitals and prisons and give out a list of attorneys and funeral directors who speak English. What they can’t do is pay personal debts, loan money or intervene in judicial cases – precisely the things most in demand in serious tragedies. The British foreign office maintains one of the most detailed websites for citizens visiting or locating in Thailand. There are even warnings about the risks of investing in or buying property, not to mention urgent pleas to make sure you are properly insured for potential hospitalization. There is no published research on how many travellers actually study and implement the recommendations in advance. Probably not many as it’s human nature to assume that bad luck only happens to other people. Continues at https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/news/increasing-consular-caseload-for-british-embassy-in-thailand-493817

Photos above are truly excellent. You know how to frame a scene, Vinapu said: “On next island we got a supper / dinner , quite tasty and sufficient although I noticed few people from our group overloaded their plates and did not eat it all wasting quite a lot of food and did not even bother to clean after themselves leaving that job to a guide and other tourists. Some people should never be released from their leashes.” Witnessed same behavior from large group of tourists in Danang last year. They simply tossed their trash under table they were sitting at.

Not quite the example of the “soft” power the PM has in mind.

From Pattaya Mail / TNA BANGKOK, Thailand – Nualphan Lamsam, president of the Football Association of Thailand (FAT), announced plans to file a civil lawsuit against former president Somyot Poompanmuang and his former board members over a 360 million baht ($10 million) debt. Their actions allegedly caused significant damage, resulting in the association having to compensate Siam Sport Syndicate Public Company Limited a sum of 360 million baht. Nualphan also known as “Madam Pang”, the current president of the Football Association of Thailand, expressed her emotions with tears when discussing the Supreme Court’s ruling that ordered the Football Association to pay compensation to Siam Sport Syndicate Public Company Limited amounting to 360 million baht plus interest from the filing date until full payment is made. The total amount is estimated to exceed 500 million baht when including approximately 200 million baht in interest. The incident occurred during Pol. Gen. Somyot’s tenure as president and involved the previous board of directors in 2016, when they unfairly terminated the contract with Siam Sport. Continues at https://www.pattayamail.com/thailandnews/thai-football-chief-announces-to-sue-predecessor-over-360-million-baht-debt-493691

From Associated Press BY SOPHENG CHEANG PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Archaeologists in Cambodia are celebrating an unexpected find at the country’s centuries-old Angkor temple complex: the torso of a statue of Buddha that matches a head found nearly a century ago at the same site. The torso, believed to be from the 12th or 13th century, was discovered during a dig by a team of Cambodian and Indian experts last month at Angkor’s Ta Prohm temple. It was found along with 29 fragments that appeared to be part of the same statue, archaeologist Neth Simon said this week. It stands at 1.16 meters (3 3/4 feet) tall and is in the Bayon art style, associated with Angkor’s Bayon temple. “It was a big surprise when we unearthed this sculpture because all we’d found so far were small pieces,” Neth Simon told The Associated Press by phone from Siem Reap province. She described the statue’s design as displaying carved jewelry and robe and sash, with a unique left-hand gesture across the chest — “an uncommon representation in Khmer (Cambodian) art.” Continues at https://apnews.com/article/angkor-wat-art-archaeology-buddha-statue-5b1196c0d695436efeb40debd07f82d0

From The Nation Thai Airways International (THAI) is changing its passenger luggage allowance for certain economy class tickets from 25 kilograms to 23 kg from April 1 onward. In an internal announcement to its ticket-selling partners, THAI said the new luggage rules will be applied to booking classes L, W (Saver Fare Family) and V, S, K (Standard Fare Family) of the economy class. The airline told its partners to change the load allowance specified on tickets for both FIT (Free Independent Traveler) and GIT (Group Inclusive Tour) of domestic and international flights using its aircraft. The change applies to new tickets issued from April 1 and with departure date from April 1 onwards, as well as unused tickets reissued from that date, it said. Continues at https://www.nationthailand.com/news/general/40047356

From Pattaya Mail PATTAYA, Thailand – In a growing trend that has left locals questioning the quality of tourists visiting the city, another clash between foreign tourists was reported on the morning of March 12 in Jomtien. The incident occurred in the Dong Tan Beach area, where a violent altercation broke out between two foreign groups. Local authorities, including the Pattaya City Patrol and the Jomtien District Civic Guard, intervened quickly to break up the dispute. The two individuals involved in the incident were detained and taken to the Dong Tan Police Station for further legal action. Witnesses reported seeing a man and a woman on an Xmax scooter attempting to flee from the scene, with local officers unable to catch up. One local bystander commented, “Every day, Pattaya sees tourists fighting. Why come here to fight? Just enjoy your time here!” The frequent clashes involving foreign tourists are becoming a growing concern for locals. “You can always expect disagreements between people from different backgrounds, but it’s a shame to see this happen more often,” said another local resident. “We hope they realize that they’re here to enjoy themselves, not create trouble. It’s dangerous for everyone.” Concerns about the rising number of violent incidents among foreign tourists in Pattaya have led locals to express their frustration on social media and during public gatherings. One local suggested, “Watch out for the crossfire, it could happen to anyone.” The authorities have reassured residents that they are taking all necessary steps to ensure safety and maintain peace in the popular tourist destination. The growing number of incidents has prompted many to question whether Pattaya’s reputation as a prime tourist destination is being compromised by the actions of a few unruly visitors. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/trouble-from-different-backgrounds-rising-clashes-among-foreign-tourists-in-pattaya-raise-concerns-493725

If your bf was drunk, maybe he didn’t realize that you weren’t comfortable in those settings. You may want to talk with him about how you feel about it when he’s sober. Whether you’re in Pattaya or Bangkok, there are many options to choose from. Since you’re the one who’s paying, you should have the final say on where you spend it. As for the young Asian woman’s remarks, I think the best response is “same reason you are.” I frequently find myself among the oldest patrons in bars in Bangkok. In most cases I find the locals concerned only with enjoying themselves and welcoming of others. I wouldn’t give any credence to the crude one you came across. Enjoy yourself!

At Phoenix, all the staff is T & B to the best of my knowledge based on a dozen visits. 15M doesn’t identify in posts but will provide information by phone or in person for those seeking bottoms. But it’s best known for its stable of tops.

NOTE — Trump voters with buyers’ regret grows by the minute. From CNBC Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio on Wednesday warned that a significant supply-demand problem regarding U.S. debt could have a profoundly disruptive impact on the global economy. It is the latest in a series of stark warnings about America’s mounting debt from the U.S. hedge fund billionaire, with the country’s national debt currently standing at more than $36.2 trillion. “The first thing is the debt issue, we have a very severe supply-demand problem,” Dalio told CNBC’s Sara Eisen at CONVERGE LIVE in Singapore. ”[The U.S. has] to sell a quantity of debt that the world is not going to want to buy.” He said this was imminent and of “paramount importance.” The U.S. deficit needs to go from a projected level of 7.2% of gross domestic product to about 3% of GDP, Dalio said. “That’s a big deal. You are going to see shocking developments in terms of how that’s going to be dealt with,” he added. Asked whether the U.S. debt problem could lead to a period of austerity, Dalio said the issue could result in a restructuring of the debt, the U.S. applying pressure on other countries to buy the debt, or even cutting off payments to some creditor countries. “Just as we are seeing political and geopolitical shifts that seem unimaginable to most people, if you just look at history, you will see these things repeating over and over again,” Dalio said. “We will be surprised by some of the developments that will seem equally shocking as those developments that we have seen.” https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/12/ray-dalio-warns-growing-us-debt-will-lead-to-shocking-developments.html

Most of more popular shops have English speaking managers (KMan, 15M, One Spa, Phoenix come to mind). For those who can’t access them, here’s some recent photo posts from 15M and Phoenix. Phoenix

From ThecThaiger The parents of a 19 year old American boy who vanished in Phuket three weeks ago have turned to social media in a desperate bid to find him. He was last seen with his bicycle in the Mueang district of Phuket. The parents of the American teenager, Steven, turned to social media platforms, and The Thaiger today, March 10, in search of more information about their missing boy. Steven reportedly left his family home in Phuket on February 17 and never returned. The boy’s mother, Srj Snyder, revealed in a social media post that her son had been missing for about three weeks, and she and her husband were desperately seeking any clues about him. Steven was last seen with his black and blue bicycle in the Mueang district of Phuket. He was wearing a black T-shirt and green jeans, and he was also carrying a blue backpack with a black bottom. The missing American was known to enjoy adventure and outdoor activities. His mother disclosed that he loved fishing, woodcrafts, and other survivalist activities. He often visited shipyards or boat piers in the province, but she found no clues of him at any of these locations. https://thethaiger.com/news/phuket/19-year-old-american-man-missing-for-3-weeks-in-phuket

It’s a sad story of a blackmailed monk that reminds all of us that we often have no idea of who we’re dealing with on Grindr and other social media platforms. in this situation, the monk responded to a request to send explicit video to a scammer who proceeded to blackmail him. The koi stress caused the monk to take his own life. https://thethaiger.com/news/national/thai-monk-commits-suicide-after-being-blackmailed-with-explicit-video

PFC rules specify that all comers are welcome and survival does not disqualify applicant.

Phoenix25 is LINE account. Phone 0622837447 ALL shops discussed in this thread in Saphan Kwai. This map may help orient you to the are. #1 is BTS Saphan Kwai station. the following shops are all located within less than 5-minute walk: K-Man, 15M, Phetboy, GBeat. The following are located by small blue dots on Sutthisan Rd. (Left to right): One Spa, BT Massage, KK Massage, Home Spa. Phoenix is indicated by small red dot on Inthamara Soi 25 (about 25-minute walk from BTS or short taxi or motorbike ride). 27M (not marked) is located shortly after Inthamara 25 and diagonally opposite Home Spa.

LINE feed still works

Close but no cigar

From Washington Post Rodrigo Duterte, the former Philippine president who has been accused of crimes against humanity and the extrajudicial killings of thousands of people during his war on drugs, was arrested Tuesday in Manila under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, the government reported. Duterte, 79, was detained by the Philippine police shortly after flying into the country from Hong Kong at approximately 9:20 a.m. A former lawyer turned populist leader, Duterte served as president between 2016 and 2022, a period in which he openly advocated for executing alleged criminals and oversaw the killings of thousands in what authorities portrayed as drug-related cases. On the campaign trail and in office, Duterte styled himself as a strongman who would prevent the Philippines from further cascading into a purported narco-state. In 2016, he said he would be “happy to slaughter” drug addicts for the sake of his country, drawing a comparison to Hitler. It’s unclear how many people were killed during his war on drugs, but Human Rights Watch estimated in 2018 that about 12,000 Filipinos had died since he took office less than two years before and attributed at least 2,555 killings directly to the Philippine National Police. Some estimates put the number at as many as 20,000 to 30,000 victims during the six-year war on drugs. Continues at https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/former-philippine-president-rodrigo-duterte-arrested-under-icc-warrant/ar-AA1AFn7J

From AP Tesla tumbles again Shares of Tesla slid again Monday as confidence in Elon Musk's electric car company continues to disintegrate following a post-election “Trump bump.” Tesla shares tumbled 15.4%, to $222.15. That's the lowest Tesla shares have traded since late October, reflecting investors' newfound pessimism as the automaker's sales crater around the globe. Monday's decline, Tesla's steepest since September 2020, came with Wall Street in the midst of a sell-off caused by uncertainty over the Trump administration's trade policies. Many analysts have attributed Tesla's sagging stock — and auto sales — to Musk's support of President Donald Trump and other far right candidates around the world. Musk pumped $270 million into Trump's campaign heading into the 2024 election, appeared on stage with him and cheered Trump's victory over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in November. Tesla stock soared to $479 per share by mid-December, but have since tumbled back to earth, losing 40% of their value.